Woman in Black

stopped and waited. But now the sounds of the pony and trap were going away from me. Now the sound was coming from somewhere on the marshes. What was wrong? Had Keckwick gone off the path?

I stood very still. For a moment, there was complete silence.

Suddenly a pony shrieked with fear. Then I heard a sound I shall never forget. The terrible cry of a child. A child in fear of death.

And now the trap was sinking. There was a strange sucking sound. The trap was going down under the mud. And still the child cried out.

There was nothing I could do! I shouted. But no one answered. How could I find the trap in that terrible mist? It was impossible.

I had to get back to the house. If I turned on all the lights, someone might see them. Someone might help.

It was dark now. The mist was thicker too. I heard the sea-water moving nearer. At last I was standing on hard ground in front of the house. I

found the front door and opened it Behind me the marshes were silent.

I sat down on the nearest chair. I began to shake. Oh, the horror of that terrible cry! That poor child dying in the marshes. I began crying and was not able to stop.

After a time, I made myself stand up. I walked into every room and turned on the lights.

I found some brandy in a cupboard. I drank some and my fear turned to anger. Why had Mr Bentley sent me here? Why had I left London?

I walked in and out of the rooms. I wanted only one thing. I wanted to get away from this terrible place.

I walked slowly along a passage on the second floor. The door at the end was locked. I kicked the door angrily. But it did not open. I turned away and walked back.

As I went, I looked through every window. The white sea-mist was all around the house. I

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could see nothing.

I drank some more brandy. The brandy helped me to forget. To forget that terrible sound of the child crying. At last I fell asleep.

A bell was ringing. It rang again and again. I opened my eyes slowly. I looked through the window. The moon shone white in the black sky.

How long had I been asleep? I did not know. The bell rang again.

Then I remembered with horror the sound I had heard. I remembered the screams of the child. I remembered the shrieks of the pony. I remembered the noise of the trap as it sank down in the mud.

Had I heard those noises? Had I dreamt them? I did not know.

The bell rang again. Someone was at the door. Who was there? All the lights in the house were on. People had seen the lights and come to help me.

I got up slowly and walked to the door. There was only one man at the door. It was Keckwick. And behind him was his pony and trap. They were real and they were not harmed at all.

`I had to wait till the mist cleared,' said Keckwick. `And when the mist cleared, the tide was in. I had to wait until the tide went out and the water left the causeway.'

Then I looked at my watch and saw the time. It was two o'clock in the morning. `It's very good of you to come here for me at this time,' I said.

`I would not have left you to stay here all night,' Keckwick said. `No, no. I would not have left you here all night'

`How did you get out of the mud ...?' I began to say. Then I knew. It had not been Keckwick. It had been someone else. But who? Who had been driving on the marshes on a dark November evening? Who?

Keckwick looked at me strangely.

`You'd better get in the trap,' he said. `I'll drive you back.'

Keckwick knew that something strange had happened to me. But he was not going to ask me about it. And he did not want to hear about it I got into the trap and we drove off.

I sat in the trap in a dream. A dream of horror and fear. I now knew the truth. But I did not

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want to believe it.

The woman in black was a ghost. And the child was a ghost too. I had seen the woman. I had heard the child. They had died long ago. But they did not rest in peace.

The innkeeper of the Gifford Arms had not gone to bed. He was waiting up for me. He let me in without a word. It was after three o'clock in the morning when I got to bed. I slept. But in my dreams, I heard the cry of a child. I stood once more in the white sea-mist. And always, near me, was the woman in black.

6. I Go Back

When I woke, the sun was shining. At first, I felt weak and ill. But after a bath and breakfast I felt better.

I was not going to run away. I had a job to do. I was afraid. I had seen and heard terrible things. But I was a young man. And young men forget easily.

I was going back to Eel Marsh House. I was going to look at Mrs Drablow's papers. But not today and not alone.

I wanted some exercise. I told the innkeeper I was going for a long walk. `Can you ride a bicycle, sir?' he said. `There's a bicycle here you can use.'

I was very pleased. Stella and I often rode bicycles into the country. Yes, an hour or two on a bicycle. That's what I needed! Then tomorrow, I would go back to Eel Marsh House. But not alone.

I decided to talk to Mr Jerome. He probably had a boy who worked in the office. The boy can help me, I thought. Together we will finish the job quickly.

I walked through the town to Mr Jerome's office. He did not look pleased to see me. `The house is full of papers,' I said. `I must look at them all. I need help.'

A look of fear came into Mr Jerome's face.

`I can't help you, Mr Kipps,' he said quickly. But can your office-boy help me?' I said.

`I don't have an office-boy,' Jerome answered.

'Well, any other boy in the town,' I said. `I'll pay him of course.'

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Mr Jerome stood up. His face was white.

`You will find no one to help you! No one!' he shouted.

`I think I understand you, Mr Jerome,' I said. `No one in this town will stay at Eel Marsh House. Everyone is too afraid. Afraid of seeing ...' I stopped.

`The woman in black?' Mr Jerome said. `Yes,' I answered. `I saw her again.' 'Where?' he whispered.

`In the graveyard behind Eel Marsh House. But she's not going to stop me - whoever she is - or was!'

I laughed. My laugh did not sound true.

`I must be brave, Mr Jerome,' I added. `I'm not going to run away.’ `That's what I said ...' the little man replied very quietly.

I did not understand him.

`Well, I'11 go back alone,' I said. `Perhaps I'll not see the woman again.' `I pray that you do not,' Mr Jerome said slowly. `I pray that you do not.'

I went back to the inn. I wrote a letter to Mr Bentley. I told him I wanted to stay for a few days. I said nothing about the woman in black.

Then I took the bicycle and rode off. The weather was perfect for cycling. The wind was cold. But the air was bright and clear.

I decided to ride west, away from the marshes. I was going to ride to the next village and have lunch there.

At the end of the town, I looked to the east. I was looking back to the water of the marshes. The marshes were pulling me back. I knew I had to go back to them. But not now. Not today.

Taking a deep breath, I turned my bicycle. My back was to the marshes now. I cycled away from the marshes along the country road.

7. Dinner with Mr Daily

I rode back to Crythin Gifford about four hours later. I was feeling happier. Eel Marsh House did not frighten me now. I knew I was brave enough to go there alone. The sea-mist and loneliness of the place had frightened me. How silly I had been to be afraid! That would not

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happen again.

I turned the corner into the town square. A big car was coming towards me. I stopped quickly. But I almost fell off the bicycle.

The car slowed down and stopped. Mr Samuel Daily looked out of the window. `How are you, young man?' he called.

`Fine,' I said. 'I've had a good ride. I feel hungry and I'm looking forward to my dinner tonight!'

`And what about your business? Have you been out to the house?' `Yes, of course,' I answered. `It won't take me long.'

Mr Daily looked at me for a few moments. He said nothing.

'I'm enjoying the work,' I went on quickly. `It's all very interesting. But there are many papers to look at.' Mr Daily went on staring at me.

`Mr Kipps,' he said, `those are brave words. But I don't believe them. Come to my house for dinner tonight. The innkeeper knows where I live.'

He sat back and the car drove on.

Mr Daily's words did not make me change my mind. I was going back to Eel Marsh House. I went shopping in the town. I bought tea, coffee and bread. Then a large torch and rubber

boots. I wanted to be ready for anything at Eel Marsh House. I told the innkeeper what I was going to do.

`Tomorrow,' I said, `I am going to go to Eel Marsh House. I am going to stay there for two nights. Can I use your bicycle?'

The innkeeper nodded. He said nothing. But he looked at me sadly.

In the evening, I cycled out to the Dailys' house. It was a very large house. Mr Daily was clearly a rich man.

Mr Daily and his wife gave me a friendly welcome. The food and drink were very good. All through dinner, Samuel Daily talked about himself. He had worked hard all his life. Now he owned land and houses.

I told him about Stella and our plans for the future.

After dinner, Mrs Daily left us. Until then, Mr Daily had not spoken about Mrs Drablow or

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Eel Marsh House.

He filled my glass and his own with wine. `You're a fool to go on with it,' he said.

I knew what he meant.

'I've got a job to do, Mr Daily,' I said. `And I want to do it well.'

`Listen to me, Arthur,' Daily said. `There are stories about that place. Stories I'm not going to tell you. You'll hear them from other people. Perhaps you've heard them already. You've been out to the house, haven't you?'

`Yes, I've been there,' I answered. `And I heard and saw things. Things I cannot understand.'

And then I told him everything.

Mr Daily listened carefully, but said nothing.

`I think the woman in black is a ghost,' I said. `She made me afraid. She has the power to make people afraid. But that is all. She did me no harm.'

`And what about the pony and trap? The child's cry?' Daily asked.

Yes, I thought to myself, the child's cry was the worst of all. But I did not say that to Mr Daily.

`I'm not running away,' I said.

`You shouldn't go back,' Daily said. `I must.' `Then don't go alone.'

`No one will go with me,' I answered. `I'll be all right. After all, Mrs Drablow lived there alone for sixty years!'

`Alone? I wonder,' Mr Daily said. He stood up. It was time for me to go. A servant brought my coat. When the man had left, Daily said, `Are you really going back to that house?'

`I am,' I answered.

`Then if you must go, take a dog,' Daily said. I laughed. `I haven't got a dog!' I said.

`But I have a dog,' Daily answered. `You can take her with you now. We walked out of the house together.

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`Wait here a moment,' Daily said.

He walked round to the back of the house. I stood there smiling. I liked dogs. I was happy to have a dog with me in that empty old house.

After a few moments, Daily returned with a bright-eyed little dog.

`Take her,' he said. `Bring her back when you've finished.' `What's her name?'

'Spider.'

Hearing her name, the little dog wagged her tail. `Thank you,' I said. `Come on, girl. Come on, Spider!'

I began to walk away. The dog did not move. She looked at Daily.

`Go on, girl,' he said. Spider ran over to me at once.

Waving goodbye, I got on my bicycle. Then, with Spider running behind me, I rode back to the town.

I felt happy. Happy and safe. I was looking forward to the morning.

8. Sounds in the Night

Next day, the weather was good. At nine o'clock, Mr Bentley phoned from London.

`I've received your letter,' he said. `You can stay for a few days. Send me any papers that look important. Leave the other papers in the house. Don't stay too long!'

`I'll finish the work as quickly as I can,' I answered. `It's a strange old house,' I added. `Mrs Drablow was a strange old woman,' Mr Bentley said. And he put the phone down.

By nine thirty, I was ready. There was a basket on the front of the bicycle. I put everything in the basket. I cycled off happily. The little dog, Spider, ran along behind me.

The tide was coming in. Very soon it would cover the causeway. But that did not worry me. The air was clear. The sun was shining on the water. Sea-birds were flying and calling over the

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estuary.

I was soon at Eel Marsh House. I opened the windows. I lit fires in several rooms. Then I sat down at a big desk. The desk was in front of a window. I could see the sky, the marshes and the water.

I started work. The desk was full of papers. Most of them I threw away. But I kept a few to look at later.

I opened a cupboard and then another. Papers, more and more papers. I looked at everything carefully.

I worked hard all the morning. At two o’clock, I had some lunch. Then I called Spider and we went outside. I walked down to the old graveyard. Spider ran up and down. She was happy too.

I tried to read the words on the gravestones. But they were too old. Most of the words were difficult to read. The writing on one stone was a little clearer. Some letters were worn away. But I could read most of the words.

Two people were buried here. I wondered who they had been.

I looked around me. It was a sad place. But I did not feel afraid.

The air was colder now. I went back to the house and Spider followed me. I was soon back at my desk again. I read paper after paper. But there was nothing important. I made myself a cup of tea. I went on working.

When it was dark, I closed the curtains. I turned on every light in the house. I put more coal on the fire.

I brought papers from other rooms. Papers, so many papers. Mrs Drablow had thrown nothing away in sixty years!

It was getting late, but I went on working. I'll be finished in a day and a half, I thought to myself. Then I'll return to London and my dear Stella.

At last, I was too tired to go on. I took a book to read in bed. Then, taking Spider with me, I

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went upstairs. I was going to sleep in a bedroom at the back of the house.

I read for about half an hour. Then I turned out the light. Spider was already asleep, near the bed.

Sometime later, I woke up. The moonlight was shining into the room. Why was I awake? What had happened? I sat up.

And then I saw Spider. The little dog was standing at the door. She was staring at the door, listening.

The little dog was terrified. And so was I. I listened too.

Yes, I could hear something. The sound came from somewhere inside the house. Bump. Bump. Bump. What was it?

Spider looked at me, growled and listened again. I got slowly out of bed. My heart was beating fast I opened the bedroom door. The passage outside was dark and empty.

Spider ran down the passage. I heard her sniffing at every closed door.

I heard the sound again. Bump. Bump. Bump. It came from a passage on the left. Very slowly, I began to walk towards the sound.

I opened the doors, one by one. Every room was dark and silent.

There was a door at the end of the passage. Spider sniffed under this door. Her growling became louder.

It was the door I had found locked on my first visit to the house. It was the only door I could not open. Yes, the sound came from behind this door. Bump. Bump. Bump.

I had heard this sound long ago. I had heard it when I was a child. What was it?

Spider howled. The frightened little dog pressed against my legs. We were both shaking with fear. And still the sound went on. Bump. Bump. Bump.

I heard another sound. It came from behind me. It came from the front of the house.

The bumping noise stopped. I turned away from the locked door. Slowly and carefully, I walked back to my bedroom.

Everything was quiet. The second sound had come from inside the house. I was sure of that I looked round the room. Perhaps the sound had come from outside? I looked out of the window. I saw nothing, no one. The marshes were silver and grey in the moonlight Did I hear a cry? I

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listened again. No.

I felt something warm against my leg. I bent down to stroke the little dog. She was quiet again.

I listened. Everything was quiet. The house and the marshes were completely silent.

After a time, I went back to the closed door. I turned the handle. The door did not open. I pushed my shoulder against the door. It did not move. There was no keyhole in the door. I could not see into the room.

I went back to bed. But it was a long time before I felt asleep.

9. Behind the Door

The morning was cold and wet. The sky was covered with thick clouds. It was raining.

I was very tired. But after breakfast, I felt better. I went back to the locked door. I stood and listened. But I heard nothing.

At nine o'clock, I rode back along the causeway on the bicycle. Spider ran beside me. There was a letter from Stella at the Gifford Arms inn. Her loving words made me feel very

happy. In two or three more days we would be together again.

I walked round the town, buying more food. Then I rode back along the causeway. I was back at Eel Marsh House in time for lunch.

The clouds were thicker now. The sea-mist was coming in over the marshes.

Inside the house, it was already dark. I put on all the lights. But the house stayed dark and shadowy. My fears returned. I decided to go back to the town.

I went outside. There was some mist around the house. But I was able to see the causeway. However, it was completely covered by water. I could not return to Crythin Gifford that day.

So I whistled to Spider. She ran to me quickly. We both went back inside the house. I emptied papers from more cupboards. 1 started work again.

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